A VOLUNTEER at a Sikh temple took his own life in the place of worship, an inquest heard.

Charanjit Singh, 51, of Northbrook Road, Southampton, died at Guru Ravidass Gurdwara in Northumberland Road on April 18.

Winchester Coroner’s Court heard he was discovered by a fellow volunteer in the dining hall.

A report from GP Dr Fraser Malloch said Mr Singh had no significant health conditions recorded, however, on the day before his death he had contacted the practice reporting a six-month history of insomnia and he was encouraged to seek advice from the pharmacy.

A statement from his wife, Jaspal Kaur, said Mr Singh’s sleep problems had followed the death of his elder brother and he worried about his family.

However, he never spoke to members of his family about taking his own life, the inquest heard.

Police and ambulance attended the temple after Mr Singh had been found on the morning of April 18.

PC Hollie Chandler said there were no suspicious circumstances.

Pathologist Dr Hayley Burnley provided a cause of death of hanging and a toxicology report from Peter Streete found there was no presence of drugs or alcohol in Mr Singh’s body.

Recording a conclusion of suicide, senior coroner Grahame Short said it is unlikely the exact reason why Mr Singh took his own life will ever come to light.